Introduction
Cooking BBQ chicken in a crock pot is a simple and delicious way to make a crowd-pleasing family meal. The slow cooker allows the chicken to absorb the tangy BBQ sauce flavor throughout while becoming fall-off-the-bone tender. With just a few ingredients and little prep time, you can have BBQ chicken ready with almost no effort. This easy crockpot recipe results in juicy, sauced chicken that’s great for serving over rice, in sandwiches, or on its own. Let’s look at how to make flavorful barbecued chicken in the slow cooker using just a few steps.
Ingredients Needed
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
- Worcestershire sauce
- Seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper
Steps to Make BBQ Chicken
Prep the Chicken
- Pat the boneless chicken dry with paper towels and trim off any excess fat. This helps the sauce better stick to the meat.
- Season the chicken all over with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. The Worcestershire adds a savory umami flavor.
Add to Slow Cooker
- Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of your crockpot. This prevents the chicken from drying out.
- Add the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the broth.
- Pour your desired amount of BBQ sauce over the chicken, coating it well. About 1/2 to 1 cup of sauce is ideal for 3-4 chicken breasts.
Cook on Low Heat
- Cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender. The low temperature allows the sauce to permeate the meat.
- For boneless pieces, cook for 4 hours. With bone-in chicken, cook for up to 6 hours.
Shred and Serve
- Once done, use two forks to shred the chicken right in the crockpot. This allows the sauce to get into all the crevices.
- Stir the shredded chicken to coat in the BBQ sauce.
- Serve the saucy pulled chicken on buns, over rice, or on its own!
Tips
- Use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce. Sweet, spicy, or tangy all work well.
- Check doneness by cutting into a thick piece of chicken. It should be 165°F internally.
- Garnish with extra BBQ sauce, chopped scallions, cilantro, or pickled jalapeños.
- Leftovers keep refrigerated up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Making fall-off-the-bone BBQ chicken in the slow cooker is easy and unfussy. The chicken soaks up loads of flavor and you get tender, saucy meat with little hands-on time. Adjust the cook time as needed for boneless or bone-in pieces. Serve this tasty shredded chicken on sandwiches, in tacos, or over rice for amazing flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of chicken works best?
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts work best. The dark meat of thighs stays juicy, while breasts shred up well. Bone-in pieces take longer to cook but add flavor.
Can I use frozen chicken?
You can use frozen chicken breasts or thighs directly in the recipe. Just add 1-2 hours to the cook time and check for doneness. The frozen chicken releases liquid to the sauce.
How long does it last refrigerated?
The cooked BBQ chicken keeps well refrigerated for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave as needed.
Can I use a different BBQ sauce?
Yes, feel free to use your favorite prepared BBQ sauce or make your own. Sweet, tangy, or spicy all work well to flavor the chicken.
Should I shred the chicken?
Shredding the cooked chicken is recommended as it allows the BBQ sauce to penetrate the meat fully for more flavor. Use two forks to easily shred in the crockpot.
Conclusion
BBQ chicken made in the slow cooker results in ultra-tender and flavorful meat for sandwiches, tacos, rice bowls, and more. With just a few ingredients like chicken, broth, barbecue sauce, and seasonings, you can make amazing shredded chicken easily. Adjust cook times as needed and garnish with scallions, cilantro, or jalapeños. Everyone will love this saucy, messy crowd-pleaser of a meal from the crockpot any night of the week.